But if a CT scan is ultimately deemed to be the best tool—and, to be clear, in certain circumstances it is—then I would not resist getting it out of fear for the small increased lifetime risk ...

May 8, 2025 – If you’ve ever hesitated before getting a CT scan, you’re not alone. A recent study linked 5% of all new cancer cases to radiation exposure from CT scans – a finding that’s ...

They can be life-saving but radiation from the scans also contributes to cancer risk. The authors of a new study estimate overuse of CT scans is increasing the U.S. cancer burden.

A CT scan usually doesn’t cause side effects, and most people can go home soon after. However, because a contrast is often used for stomach scans, you may need to wait about an hour to be sure ...

It’s also important to recognize that CT scans use ionizing radiation to create images, and ionizing radiation — especially if the scan uses a high dose of radiation or a patient gets repeated scans — ...